MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 19-106-GA Notice Issued: March 9, 2021 Phillip G. Bazzo, P 25243, Lincoln Park, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #16.
Disbarment - Effective February 24, 2021 Based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct as charged in a two-count formal complaint involving two separate, unrelated client matters. In the first matter, as referenced in Count One of the formal complaint, the panel found that respondent represented a client when the representation of that client was materially limited by the lawyer’s own interests, in violation of MRPC 1.7(b), which did not satisfy the exceptions to MRPC 1.7(b)(1)-(2); entered into a business transaction with a client, in violation of MRPC 1.8(a), which did not satisfy the exceptions of MRPC 1.8(a)(1)-(3); failed to promptly notify a client when funds to which the client had an interest were received, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(1); failed to promptly pay or deliver any funds to which a client was entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to promptly render a full accounting regarding property to which a client was entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to appropriately safeguard client funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); and, engaged in conduct that involved dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflected adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b).
In the second matter, as referenced in Count Two of the formal complaint, the panel found that respondent represented a client when the representation of that client was materially limited by the lawyer’s own interests, in violation of MRPC 1.7(b), which did not satisfy the exceptions to MRPC 1.7(b)(1)-(2); knowingly revealed a confidence or secret of a client, without permission or other exception, in violation of MRPC 1.6(b)(1); knowingly used a confidence or secret of a client to the disadvantage of the client, without permission or other exception, in violation of MRPC 1.6(b)(2); knowingly used a confidence or secret of a client to the advantage of the lawyer or a third person, without permission or other exception, in violation of MRPC 1.6(b)(3); failed to maintain a normal client-lawyer relationship with his client, when that client’s ability to make adequately considered decisions in connection with the representation may have been impaired, in violation of MRPC 1.14(a); and, attempted to seek the appointment of a guardian or take other protective action with respect to a client before properly assessing whether the client could adequately act in his own interest, in violation of MRPC 1.14(b).
March 9, 2021
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Page 2
Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3) and MRPC 8.4(a) and(c), as charged in both counts of the formal complaint.
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law. Respondent filed a timely petition for review and a petition for a stay of the discipline imposed. Respondent’s petition for stay was denied by the Board on February 26, 2021. This matter has been scheduled for a review hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director